Back to my workouts after 3 days off

Friday, March 22, 2013

My shoulder is finally feeling better, but my left "bad" hip is still really hurting. That is not unusual, it usually takes about a week for my injections to really kick in and have a pain killing effect.

I skipped working out for 3 days in a row this week. It's been a long time since I have taken that many days off in a row. Tuesday I did not have time before my chemo in the morning, and after I got my injections at the pain clinic, I had to wait 24 hours before going about my usual activities (not that I would have felt awake enough anyway, from the sedatives they gave me.) Wednesday my shoulder was still very painful, and yesterday, it was my hip that bothered me the most, plus I was just feeling exhausted.

It's been hard to sleep at night; I haven't had much of a problem falling asleep, but for some reason, around the time the seasons change, my hot flashes flare up. Actually, they are more like night sweats. I turn the heat down to 60°F, but I still wake up sweating; I kick the covers off, and before long, I am too cold. I go back to sleep and the cycle starts all over again. The chemo affects them too; they always seem to be worse on the weeks I have chemo. So, besides the chronic anemia from the chemo, I am more fatigued than usual. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me; part of the reason I do my blog is to let people know what life is like with cancer. I don't want to "sugarcoat" the really hard parts about living with it.

Well, getting back to the workout issue. I feel very discouraged when I am not able to do a workout, even if it's a fairly easy Sit and Be Fit workout. One of the things that motivates me to keep exercising is seeing my fitness minutes add up on Spark. It's a good motivational tool for me, but I realize I also have to listen to my body and take a day off if I need too, and that I am not in competition with anyone for those fitness minutes. I decided to try a Sit and Be Fit workout today. Because of the hip pain, I did the leg exercises and stretching portions, (which can be done standing or seated) sitting down. I did ok with it today, today's workout was almost all stretching, which is what I needed after 3 days of not being very active. I did have some trouble with my right hip, that one is usually not a problem, but for some reason, it kept seizing up on my and I really had to be careful not to push my range of motion too far with it. It must be I'm not healed yet from the injection on that side. Since it's a different part of the joint I have the pain in than my left hip, the injection is done in a different part of the joint than in my left hip.

I got caught up on my laundry yesterday also, so maybe I spent a little too much time on my feet doing that. I was also on my feet a little longer than I should have been preparing dinner, but the good part is I have plenty of leftovers, so my dinners for the next 2-3 days will be basically "heat and eat."

BETHGILLIGAN
You were smart to listen to your body and take a break. Now you can ease back into the exercise slowly. You'll be back on track in no time! You are one determined woman!!!! No sugar coating just your life. Thank you for sharing that with us.1822 days ago

1STATEOFDENIAL
You had a lot of difficulties all happening at the same time, so no one can blame you for wanting to take a few days off. Hopefully you'll start feeling more like your 'normal' soon.1822 days ago

KARENLEIGH32
I hope you feel better soon. I'm glad you don't sugarcoat what you are experiencing, I tried to do that where I work. Ultimately I lost my job, but I am so much happier now. My stress level is almost non-existent. Again take it easy and feel better soon!1822 days ago

CIRANDELLA
Shari, you are an A++ course in how to roll with all kinds of punches in life, and how to keep doing so with strength, determination, and tremendous integrity. You never know just how many people you are heartening and teaching through your marvelous example! (And I love the way you planned ahead with some heat and eat dinners, too :) Well done!!1822 days ago